Holding on to Jah
Details
Title: Holding on to Jah
Director: Roger Landon Hall
Year: 2011
Country: Jamaica and the United States
Runtime: 96′
Language: Jamaican English
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and German
Trailer
Synopsis
Holding on to Jah details the history of Jamaica, reggae music, and the Rasta movement, bringing into focus the critical roles played by Marcus Garvey, and the 225th Emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie. Reggae is the soundtrack that sets the history and struggle of the Rasta people, and of all Jamaicans, to music. Candid interviews with some of reggae’s greatest singers and musicians (some of whom are no longer with us) tell a collective story of hard times that were endured and overcome because of their great faith.
The Rastafarian story is one of police brutality, long jail sentences, deprivation and physical abuse. The film is a testament to their faith, which for them often meant being disowned by family, shunned by friends and dispossessed by society. The Rastafarians share with us their personal stories of the merging of the Rasta ideology with music that combined island and African rhythms, and how songs from people like Bob Marley, The Congos, Israel Vibration, Culture, and others, have brought forth a positive message and spread the “Rastaman vibration” throughout the world. The film takes viewers on a journey to the heart of the Rasta movement and shows us how, against great odds, a message of salvation and redemption was born. With courage, tenacity, and faith, the Rastafarian movement emerged, struggled, and continues to thrive. Through all their tribulations they continue to stand firm in their convictions, holding on to Jah.
Yard Vibes
This film is part of YardVibes, a streaming platform for content from independent African and Caribbean makers. The platform offers many titles for rent, from feature films and web series to documentaries and short films, with new content added each month. All titles can be rented individually for a modest fee, which will largely benefit the makers. You can find the complete YardVibes film streaming catalogue at yardvibes.nl.
